Loom reed structure



June 21, 1960 s. F. MCLANE LOOM REED STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1959 INVENTOR. JAMUEL FULLEP MeLA/VE BY 7 Waflfi JTI'ORNEVS June 21, 1960 s. F. MCLANE 2,941,552

LOOM REED STRUCTURE Filed April 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MMl/t'l. FULLER Mall/l5 United States Patent LOOM REED STRUCTURE Samuel Fuller McLane, Gaifney, S.C., assignor to Southern Loom Reed Manufacturing Company, Inc., a corporation of South Carohna Filed Apr. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 809,309

9 Claims. (Cl. 139-192) This invention relates to loom reeds, and more particularly to an improved loom reed structure by which a more effective support for the reed splits is afforded and by which the reed is advantageously arranged in relation to the shuttle action in the loom. This is a con tinuation-in-part of my copending U.S. patent application Serial No. 711,337, filed January 27, 1958, now abandoned.

A loom reed is used, as is well known, to space and guide the warp ends as they reach the cloth in a loom and is reciprocated against the cloth structure during the weaving operation to force each filling pick tightly into the cloth structure. When in normal use, loom reeds are mounted in alignment with the shuttle box back plates. When the shuttle is shot or picked out of each shuttle box it tends to flutter initially until its flight stabilizes, and during this initial flutter it is apt to strike the adjacent end bar of the reed. This not only causes wear and damage of the shuttle, but also may damage the reed splits, especially as a loom fixer will often bend the reed end bars back to lessen the striking of the shuttle thereat, which further exposes the reed splits to damage by the shuttle. The above disadvantage is overcome according to the present invention by providing the end bars with beveled outer edges, so that if the shuttle should strike an end bar it will slide harmlessly off the bevel without damaging either the reed or the shuttle. In the preferred embodiment each end bar is beveled on the face adjacent the shuttle, and has a flat opposite face which firmly supports and aligns the end cap. In a modified embodiment each end bar is beveled on both faces so that the loom reed is reversible and may be turned over when the splits on one side are worn or damaged.

The present invention is an improvement of the loom reed structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,383,140 in which end bars are employed that are thicker than the reed splits so that they may be notched for assembly with the end caps while reaching coextensively with the splits to support them effectively against buckling. The construction of the present invention utilizes end bars of a thickness similar to the thickness of the splits and of any desired width. The end bars extend beyond the reed ribs as in the above noted prior patent, but are notched along their outer edges in line with the reed ribs for seating of the end caps. The end caps are longitudinally slotted to fit over the end bars and enclose the reed ribs with the base of the end cap seating within the notch of the end bar in latching engagement therewith to prevent shifting of the end bar without a significant reduction in the width, and therefore strength, of the end bar. As a matter of fact the notch engagement of the end cap permits the edge of the end bar to extend outwardly as far as the heads of the nails which attach the caps to the ribs, thereby increasing the width and strength of the end bar. Alternatively, the end bar can be repositioned outwardly so as to accommodate an additional reed split in the space between end bars. In an alternate embodiment the end bars are slotted adjacent the ribs, and these slots mate with slots in the end caps with the resulting advantage that the mating notches in the end caps need extend at one side only a portion of the total length or depth of the end caps rather than the entire length as in previous constructions; while the end bars, since they may be of any desired width, can be constructed so as to have a sufficiently long slot for mating with and engaging the end caps without affecting the strength of the end bars in reinforcing the splits. Thus, neither the strength of the end caps in holding the ribs together nor the effect of the end bars in reinforcing the splits are impaired.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described in further detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a loom reed structure arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a right end elevational view of the loom reed structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail taken substantiailly along line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view further illustrating the form of end cap employed in the loom reed structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a left end view of the end cap of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of a loom reed structure arranged in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 isa right end elevational view of the loom reed structure of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail taken substantially along line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged side view further illustrating the form of end cap employed in the loom reed structure shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a left end view of the end cap of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 10, illustrating a modified end bar construction.

Referring first to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7-13, the loom reed 30 comprises a plurality of fine wire splits 31 mounted near each end between pairs of half round ribs 32 and 33 and secured between the ribs by a spirally wound cord 34 which is wound around the outside of the half round ribs 32 and 33 and sequentially passes between adjacent splits 31 to secure them in a regularly spaced series at a desired dent count. A suitable covering material 35 is commonly applied over the cord wrapped rib members, and the splits 31 extend at each end beyond the half round ribs 32 and 33 so as to insure anchorage and spacing thereof at both sides of the cord 34.

In order to support the splits 31 and reinforce the loom reed generally, end bars 36 are provided at both ends of the spaced series of splits. These end bars 36 are of substantially the same thickness as the splits 31 are wide, and are of suitable width for providing the neecssary split support in the particular reed structure involved. Also, the end bars 36 are beveled at their outer edges toward the front side of the loom, as indicated at 37. The beveled portions 37 extend from substantially the midpoints 39 of the sides of the end bars 36 to the outer edges 40 thereof with smoothly curved extremities which allow the shuttle to engage and slide over the beveled portion Without damage. In the modification of Fig. 13, both sides of each end bar 41 are beveled to provide a reversible reed.

The end bars 36 are mounted between the ends of the half round ribs 32 and 33 and end caps 38 are secured over the ends of the ribs by means of brads or the like, as indicated at 42, to hold the ribs together and tie-in the end bars 36 therewith while allowing extension of the end bars 36 beyond the half round ribs 32 and 33 coextensively with the splits 31.

The end bars 36 are notched along their outer edges 40 in line with the ribs 32 and 33, and the end caps 38 are provided with full length slots 43 which are diametrically opposed to permit the end caps 38 to fit over the end bars 36 and enclose the ribs 32 and 33. The fiat sides 44 of the end bars 36 engage the sides of the slots 43 to properly align and firmly support the end caps. The notches 45 serve to seat the base portions 46 of the end caps 38 in latching engagement. The outer edges 40 of the end bars 36 may extend beyond the notches 45 so as to be flush with the brads 42, providing a maximum width of the end bar without interfering with the mounting of the reed in the loom, or permitting 1 the loom reed is similar to the loom reed of the preferred embodiment, having similar wire splits 11 mounted between half round ribs 12 and 13 by cords 14 and coverings 15. End bars 16 support the ribs 12 and 13 and are attached thereto by latching engagement with end caps 18 which are nailed to the ribs 12 and 13 by brads 18' or the like. The end bars 16 are beveled at their outer edges toward the front side of the loom, as at 17, similar to the bevel 37 of the above described preferred embodiment.

The end caps 18 are slotted at opposite sides, as indicated by the reference numerals 19 and 20, for interfitting with the end bars 16, one of these slots 19 extending the full depth of the end cap 18 and the other slot 20 being of lesser depth for mating with slots 21 formed in the end bars 16 inwardly from the outer edge thereof and at one side of the rib members 12 and 13, preferably the inner side as illustrated in the drawings. By this arrangement, the end caps 18 are tied in efiectively with the end bars 16 while providing a strong cap structure due to the short depth of the slots 20 and without affecting to any appreciable extent the strength of the end bars 16. The width of the end bars 16 and the length or depth of the end caps 18 may be increased to any desired size so that greater unslotted portions of both the bars and caps may be provided to result in greater strength of both the bars and caps.

The previously mentioned beveled outer edges 17 of the end bars 16 may extend partially or substantially across the full thickness of the bars 16 and are arranged on the same side of the loom reed structure so that the reed 10 may be mounted in a loom with these beveled edges 17 disposed on the side of the reed 10 at which the shuttle operates and functions to insure a smooth entry of the shuttle across the reed so as to avoid damage to either the reed or the shuttle during normal operatiou.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs; a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs; a plurality of splits, each split having one end secured between the top ribs and extending therebeyond and having its other end secured between the bottom ribs and extending therebeyond; means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits; a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled outer edges on the side of the loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle, and each end bar being provided with slots adjacent the ribs extending inwardly from the outer edge of the end bars; and end caps secured over the ends of the ribs to hold the rib ends together and tie-in the end bars therewith, said end caps being received in theslots of the end bars.

2. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs; a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs; a plurality of splits, each split having one end secured between the top ribs and extending therebeyond and having its other end secured between the bottom ribs and extending therebeyond; means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits; and a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having the outer edges thereof beveled across substantially the full thickness of the side of said loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle.

3. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other'to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled faces on'the side of the loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle and having fiat faces on the opposite sides.

4. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled faces on the side of the loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle with the bevels extending from substantially the midpoints of the faces to the outer edges thereof and having smoothly curved extremities.

5. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled faces on both sides of the loom reed.

6. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled faces on the side of the loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle and having their outer edges notched in line with the ribs, said notches extending along the outer edges of said end bars substantially coextensive with the ends of said ribs, slotted end caps enclosing the ends of said ribs and seated in said notches in latching engagement with the end bars.

7. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having beveled faces on the side of the loom reed that is to be mounted adjacent a shuttle and having their outer edges notched in line with the ribs, said notches extending along the outer edges of said end bars substantially coextensive with the ends of said ribs, end caps having opposing full length slots, said end bars fitting in the slots of the end caps with the end caps seated in said notches in latching engagement with the end bars.

8. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and .extending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having notches in their outer edges in line with the ribs, said notches extending along the outer edges of said end bars substantially coextensive with the ends of said ribs, slotted end caps enclosing the ends of said pairs of ribs and having base portions seated in the notches in the end bars in latching engagement therewith.

9. A loom reed, comprising a pair of opposed top ribs, a pair of opposed bottom ribs spaced from said top ribs, a plurality of splits, each split having its ends secured between the ribs of each pair of ribs and ex tending therebeyond, means for securing the splits to the ribs .in spaced relation to each other to provide a desired dent between splits, a pair of end bars secured between the ends of the ribs outwardly of the splits, said end bars having notches in their outer edges in line with the ribs, said notches extending along the outer edges of said end bars substantially coextensive with the ends of said ribs, end caps having base portions and side walls extending therefrom with opposing full length slots, said end bars fitting in the base portions of said end cap slots and the end caps seating in the end bar notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 664,827 Baldwin Jan. 1, 1901 1,988,977 Andrews Jan. 22, 1935 2,172,972 Hall Sept. 12, 1939 2,180,201 Fish Nov. 14, 1939 2,383,140 McLane et a1 Aug. 21, 1945 2,870,796 Laughlin Jan. 27, 1959 

